{New Article} The Great Gable Part 2

Here is part 2 of The New York Daily News’ “Great Gable” series.

A rather disjointed piece, swinging from Clark’s recent marriage to Kay Williams, his reputation as aloof and lonely, and the failure of his post-war films to catch on with audiences.

Paradoxically, Gable, while fundamentally a lone wolf, is a friendly man, with a lively interest in others.

During all the years he was King of MGM, the legend of Clark Gable’s inaccessibility grew to the point where he became widely regarded as a male Garbo. Affably aloof was the way reporters most often described him. And when one gained a rare interview with the celebrated star, it was usually with the expectation of a bonus or a raise, as though some sensational news beat had been scored.

When Gable closed the books on 23 years with MGM and moved over to 20^th Century to make two profit-sharing pictures, the myth of aloofness was promptly shattered.

MGM Dictated His Attitude, He Says

He gave out freely with “career” interviews, and recently turned down a publisher’s $100,000 offer for a life story, only because he felt he couldn’t take the money and then insist on exercising censorship here and there.

This apparent reversal in attitude perplexed one interviewer, who found the star as gracious off the screen as on.

“What,” he was asked, “changed your attitude toward publicity—the fact that you’re in business for yourself?”

Gable grinned. “I haven’t changed,” he said. “MGM didn’t want me interviewed.”

Gable, who once starred opposite Garbo in the immemorable, “Susan Lenox: Her Rise and Fall,” has sometimes suspected that the silent Swede, whom he always found pleasant and unassuming, may have been the victim of a similar “mystery” buildup by the studio.

“I once told the publicity department,” he chuckled, “that I thought they were giving her the same treatment.”

However, never one to suit a press agent’s fancy, Gable would hardly have submitted to anything like Garbo’s inane, “I want to be alone,” trademark of the sphinx-like actress’ traditional isolation.

Wary from long prominence of being used by opportunists, he generally fraternizes with other stars—fellow he-man Gary Cooper, who recently visited him on set to talk up a hunting trip; dancer Fred Astaire, with whom he occasionally turns out at the track, and such robust characters as John (Duke) Wayne and Fred MacMurray, hearty outdoor types cast in a similar mold.

He is constantly sought after by self-promoters. Even at the 20^th lot, starlets pick out tables near his at the studio commissary, on the chance that he may notice them.